Elbow Room — Restaurant in City of Elmira

I realize 5 stars may seem a bit of a reach for this place, but I must emphasize that I rate all of these establishments based upon the fulfillment of purpose. Just because it's got 5 stars, doesn't mean it competes with the Four Seasons in NY, nor does the Four Seasons deserve 5 stars if I get a subpar blackened filet. I give stars in relation to what the establishment is established as, and explain, accordingly.

In this case, I'm giving the Elbow Room 5 stars. It's a pub next to a hospital. That's its purpose. When a physician, nurse, or tech needs to get guilty food and unload after walking miles in the shoes of one of the most depressing and underappreciated jobs, this place is there. When a Dad needs to make a stop on his way home after a late night visit to his kid in the NICU, disheartened at the thought of another night of leaving the hospital without his youngest, this is the stop. 4 years later, with another kid sitting with his wife in the maternity ward, same guy needs to get some food that doesn't taste like styrofoam... this is where he went.

Basically, they've taken good care of me and many people who are at the hospital and likely not having a very good day; in some cases, the worst of their lives. It's not haute cuisine, but it has always been exactly what I needed. And they serve alcohol, because some nights...

Large party family, in for a celebration. I went to the bar to put in the order for all of us. Been going here for years, but hadn’t been in much in the last few years. Not as good as they used to be. Wings looked freezer burnt and no sauce just at the bottom and mostly grease. 2 orders of French fries were literally tiny crispy bits with no flavor. Burger was a fraction of what it used to be and overcooked. Worst part was the bartender, Tim D. He was rude, condescending, dismissive, and impatient. I asked if they had baked potatoes, and he seemed upset that I would even ask and said nope don’t have any of those here. I ordered the salad with chicken and he didn’t like the way I said it so he corrected me. I tried to make light of the situation and joke with him, and he didn’t even crack a smile. It would have made sense if they were busy like they used to be on a Friday night but they weren’t. There used to be tickets lined up with peoples orders and tons of people coming in and out picking up their wings but the bar was empty. Literally two people sitting at the bar, one other large party, and about three of the booths had people in them. The young guys who brought our food out, were very nice and...

9/21. Oh, How the mighty have fallen! Used to be best wings anywhere. They were not great, just ok, a year ago. TERRIBLE this time. Not just bad, but gross. Ended up throwing 4 dozen wings in garbage! Not sure what is going on, but the wings were Tiny, Flavorless, Rubbery, and Gross. I guess real Elbow Room wings are gone and pass into legend. Shameful!!!

2/5/20 Havent been to ER in a while. Had always been a favorite wing place. Last year they had a few health code issues. Thought we would give them another shot. Service still great. Tuna salad good, wings out fast...but low and behold-mo not the same old wings! Just regular bar wings. Sauce is still same great sauce, but just big fatty regular wings. Sooo disappointed!! Anyone that thinks these are best, never had the old "whole" wings.Prob wont go out of my way for these anymore. Sad. P.s. The fries are coated Sisco fries, not fresh, or gluten free. Is it really that hard to make fries!?!

3 years ago: Probably the best wings anywhere. It's a great , neighborhood bar. Super staff. Great food. Huge bottle...